DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0138
CHAPTER V
Social and Religious Developments of
the Vedic Age
Aryan Civilization—Tribes and Clans—Villages and Trade—Divisions of
Society — Origin of Castes — Rise of the Priestly Cult — Brahmanic Ideals of
Life—Brahmanic Students—The Source of Algebra—Samaveda and Yajurveda
—Atharva-veda Charms and Invocations—The " Middle Country" the Centre
of Brahmanic Culture—Sacred Prose Books—Bold Pantheism of the Upani-
shads—Human Sacrifice and its Symbolism—Chaos Giant Myth in India,
Babylonia, and China, and in Teutonic Mythology—Horse Sacrifices in India,
Siberia, Greece, Rome, &c.—Creation the Result of Sacrifice—Death as the
Creator and Devourer.
During the Vedic Age, which came to a close in the
eighth century b.c, the Aryan settlers spread gradually
eastward and southward. At first they occupied the
Punjab, but ere the Rigvedic period was ended they had
reached the banks of the Jumna and the Ganges in the
"Middle Country". In the early hymns the great
Himalayan mountains dominate fertile river valleys, but
the greater part of northern India is covered by vast and
dense forests. No mention is made of the sea.
The Aryans were a pastoral and hunting people, with
some knowledge of agriculture. They possessed large
herds of cattle, and had also sheep, goats, and asses; they
were, besides, famous breeders and tamers of horses; the
faithful dog, man's earliest friend, followed both herds-
man and hunter. The plough was in use, and bullocks
were yoked to it; grain was thrashed in primitive manner
Social and Religious Developments of
the Vedic Age
Aryan Civilization—Tribes and Clans—Villages and Trade—Divisions of
Society — Origin of Castes — Rise of the Priestly Cult — Brahmanic Ideals of
Life—Brahmanic Students—The Source of Algebra—Samaveda and Yajurveda
—Atharva-veda Charms and Invocations—The " Middle Country" the Centre
of Brahmanic Culture—Sacred Prose Books—Bold Pantheism of the Upani-
shads—Human Sacrifice and its Symbolism—Chaos Giant Myth in India,
Babylonia, and China, and in Teutonic Mythology—Horse Sacrifices in India,
Siberia, Greece, Rome, &c.—Creation the Result of Sacrifice—Death as the
Creator and Devourer.
During the Vedic Age, which came to a close in the
eighth century b.c, the Aryan settlers spread gradually
eastward and southward. At first they occupied the
Punjab, but ere the Rigvedic period was ended they had
reached the banks of the Jumna and the Ganges in the
"Middle Country". In the early hymns the great
Himalayan mountains dominate fertile river valleys, but
the greater part of northern India is covered by vast and
dense forests. No mention is made of the sea.
The Aryans were a pastoral and hunting people, with
some knowledge of agriculture. They possessed large
herds of cattle, and had also sheep, goats, and asses; they
were, besides, famous breeders and tamers of horses; the
faithful dog, man's earliest friend, followed both herds-
man and hunter. The plough was in use, and bullocks
were yoked to it; grain was thrashed in primitive manner